Pressure responsive automobile jack



April 1953 R. c. CHRISTOPHER 2,634,580

PRESSURE RESPONSIVE AUTOMOBILE JACK Filed NOV. 8 1950 2 SHEETSSHEET 1 INVENTOR. leober'i Cf'krzsiap/zer April 14, 1953 R. c. CHRISTOPHER 2,634,580

PRESSURE RESPONSIVE AUTOMOBILE JACK Filed NOV. 8. 1950 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 INVENTOR. Robe/ i- C'C/lrisiop/zsr Patented Apr. 14, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PRES SURE RESPONSIV E AUTOMOBILE JACK Robert 0.. Christopher, Chicago, Ill.

Application November 8, 1950, Serial No. 194,645

My invention relates to vehicle jacks which are actuated by fluid pressure generated chemically by'the reaction of suitable chemicals.

An important object of my invention is to provide an automobile jack or lifting mechanism which is equipped with a generating chamber where fluid pressure is generated to react upon piston means operative in a cylinder; the mechanism being provided with vehicle contacting or support means secured adjustably to the said piston means so that the pressure generated will lift a vehicle supported on the said jack.

A further object of my invention is to provide an automobile jack of the aforementioned character which is provided with a liquid storage chamber for storing the liquid to be used in the chemical reaction, a measuring or metering chamber for capturing a predetermined quantity" of" liquid necessary for the chemical reaction, and compound valvemeans controlling the flow and metering of the liquid from the storage chamber to the said metering chamber and subsequently to the generating chamber.

Another object of my invention is toprovide compound valve means which consist of an upper valve to allow air into the liquid storage chamber toreplace the liquid evacuated therefrom, an intermediate valve which will allow the liquid to pass from the storage chamber to the metering chamber, and a third valve which will allow the passage of liquid from the metering chamber to the reaction chamber. The said air inlet valve and. the said intermediate valve, as well as the third mentioned valve, operate. in unison and in the. following manner: the air valve and the invide agitator means in the reaction chamber so as to expedite the chemical reaction and the resultant generation of pressure for lifting the jack, or for distending the jack mechanism.

A still further object of my invention is to provide novel rack means which may be prelimi- 8 Claims. (Cl. 60-357 narily adjusted to approximate heights so. as to reduce. the necessity for lift of a particular ve. hicle to a minimum, and at the same time increase the range of' operation of the automobile jack' or vehicle. jack mechanism.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device of the aforementioned character which is effective in its operation, practical for the purposes ior which it is to be used, and of such simple elemental construction as to warrant economical manufacture thereof in. quantity pro-- duction.

Other features, objects and advantages inherent in my invention will become apparent from reference. to the accompanying drawings, being more clearly elucidated in. the: ensuing descrip-- tion, wherein. like. parts are. designated by like symbols, and in which;

Fig. 1 isv a. longitudinal cross-sectional view of the assembled jack. mechanism in normal position'. before distension.

Fig. 2 is an end. view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is. an elevational view of Fig. 1 with certain. portions thereof broken away for clarity.

Fig. 4 is a transverse: cross-sectional view taken substantially on line 4.-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5v is: a transverse crossesectionalview taken substantially'online 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6. is a transverse. cross-sectional view taken substantially on line 66 of Fig.1.

Fig. '7 is a. transverse cross-sectional view taken substantially onv line 'l-.1: of Fig. l, at the base structure of the device.

Referring to. the: various views, my invention is generally designated 8* and consists; of a base structure: designated. 9', which, as seen in Fig. 7:, is: of a formation to ensure stability. The. base 9 provided. with. legs [0 and l I which extend outwardl'y', as. indicated at [4-, and are cored. out for lightness. The legs [0 extend outwardly at. M, whereas the base is also provided. with cutout U- shaped portions [2 and I3 in order to encase the chemical reaction cavity l5 where the gasor pressure is to be generated.

The base 8 is equipped with a hub portion. l6 suitably threaded in order to receive a. bushing member ll; the said bushing being equipped with a bore I3 which is eccentrically positioned therein, and. which. in concert: with can l9 has the province of opening or' closing access tothe bore 8. The said. cap 19. has a similar bore or open.- ing 21 in eccentric. relationship. identical. with the bore [8, capable of alignment with the bore I8, so that when bores l8 and 20 are-in registry, as shown in Fig. 1, they will permit the chemicals needed to be introduced therethrough into the chemical reaction chamber or cavity I55 and when positioned out of registry, as indicated in Fig. 2, the chamber will be sealed, and thus permit the pressure generated to be exerted against a piston 34. At the upper central portion of the base 9 a hub 21 is provided which 15 suitably threaded and provided with a reduced bore at its lowermost portion in order to create a shoulder 24 for resting and supporting thereon a louver plate 22. The louver plate 22 has a multiple number of louver portions 23 so as to permit liquid to drip into the reaction chamber [5 gradually in order to enable the reaction to take place more gradually, preventing flooding of the chemical reaction chamber.

The louver plate 22 is held rigidly in place by means of an outer cylinder 25 which is threaded, and which seats against a shoulder 24, capturing therebetween the louver plate 22. The outer cylinder 25 is also provided with an extending portion 26 which may be suitably threaded and to which a vent pipe 21 is threadably secured. An inner chamber 29 within the outer cylinder 25 has access to the venting means 21 through an interconnecting drilled passage 28. A petcock not shown is secured to the vent pipe 21 and the same is maintained in closed position when it is desired to distend the lifting jack mechanism for raising a vehicle anchored thereto; to lower the vehicle, the petcock is opened, permitting the air under pressure to be exhausted, simultaneously cushioning the descent of the vehicle.

The upper part of the outer cylinder 25 is threaded at 30, and an upper edge 32 serves the purpose of seating a headed bushing 34 firmly thereon, capturing between the inner chamber 29 thereof and an interior sleeve 43, a gasket 33 for sealing completely the chamber 29 against leakage and loss of pressure. The inner cylinder or sleeve 43 is secured b a threaded end thereof to a threaded portion 36 of the piston 34. The piston 34 is further equipped with an enlarged cored opening 31, at the terminus of which is a valve seat 38. At the bottom 39 of piston 34 is secured a seal consisting of a cup-shaped gasket 40 made of leather or other suitable material held in place firmly against the bottom 39 by virtue of a clamping washer 4| and screws 42'. The piston 34 is sealed peripherally by means of piston rings 35 customarily employed for this purpose.

The inner cylinder or sleeve 43 is provided with an intermediate valve seat structure 58 having a valve seat and providing a resting place or shoulder 66 for a spring-support plate 61; the said intermediate valve seat structure 58 being secured internally of the inner cylinder 43 by means of a split-spring washer 60'.

The spring-support plate 61 is provided with a number of drilled openings 68 so as to provide communication for passage of liquid 38 from a storage chamber 49 to a metering chamber 49'. The valve seat 60 is provided on the intermediate valve structure 58 which is also bored out at 59 and allows a compound valve structure, to be hereinafter more clearly defined, to operate slidably therein. The intermediate valve structure 58 may be fastened in grooves in the intermediate valve structure 58 and in the inner cylinder 43 and held in place by the split-washer as indicated in Fig. 1.

At the top of the inner cylinder 43 is provided a threaded inner portion 44 in order to receive the mating threaded portion of a cap 45, which has an angularly offset and extended portion 46 provided with a threaded bore 41 therein, in order to receive a plug 48. Through the open ing or bore 41 liquid is introduced into the storage chamber 49 Whenever the jack mechanism is to be employed for raising a vehicle or load.

The cap 45 is also provided with a cored out portion 50. A drilled guide opening 5! in the cap 45 retains a valve rod 53 therein. The rod 53 is secured to a manipulating knob 54, as indicated at 12. The guide bore 5! merges with an elongated slot of reduced width, as shown at 52, in Fig. 4, which provides venting means for purposes of allowing the air to enter the storage chamber 49, whenever the valves are opened to permit flow of the liquid 98.

The compound valve means consists of a number of valves mounted on the rod 53. The upper valve or inlet valve is a cup-shaped structure 51 which may be made of resilient material, and which is held on the rod 53 by means of washers 55 and lock nuts 56. An intermediate valve 6|, made also of resilient material, is provided with a frusto-conical section to seat against the valve seat 60, and is held firmly in place by washers 62 and 65 and nuts 63 and 64, holding it firmly in place.

The entire valve structure is urged normally by spring means 69 so that the intermediate valve BI and the upper valve 51 will be closed, whereas a lowermost valve 13 is open. When the intermediate valve 6! and the upper valve 51 are open, the valve 13 will be closed, as will hereinafter be-more fully explained. The springmeans 65 is held between the central portion of the plate 61; the spring being mounted about the rod 53- and held against displacement by washer 10 and lock nut H thus spring 69 will normally maintain the-valves 51 and GI closed while the valve 13 will be open.

The valve 13 is also provided with a frustoconical portion to seat against the valve seat 38 in sealing relationship whenever the manipulating knob 54 is pushed downwardly, seating the valve 13 against the valve seat 38, and unseating valves 6| and 51; thus the liquid 98 will be caused to flow from the storage chamber 49 until it fills the metering chamber 49 through the openings 68 and the valve 6| in open 1 05ition, as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. l. The opening of valve 51 allows air to replace the liquid 98 that passes into the metering chamber 49. At such times as the valves 51 and 6! are open for passage of liquid from the storage chamber 49' to the metering chamber 49', the valve 13 is seated. When the metering chamber 49 is filled, handle 54 is released. The spring 69 closes effectively the valves GI and 51, simultaneously opening the valve 13. Thus the liquid metered into the metering chamber 49' is dispensed through the louver portions 23 gradually, allowing the chemical reaction to take place gradually, preventing onrushing liquid which might tend to choke off the chemicals and impair their more efficient reaction.

The lowermost valve 13 is also secured to the valve rod 53 by means of a lock-nut 15, awasher 14, a smaller washer 16 and a fillister head screw 11; thus the entire structure is slidably operable, that is, the valve rod 53 slides within the inner cylinder 43, whereas the inner cylinder structure by virtue of its attachment to the piston element 34 will be caused to be distended or to recede, depending upon the pressure actuation within the chamber 29.

To the cap by welding 18 or other suitable attachment means I secure an arcuately-shaped apron element- 19 which is adapted to encircle substantially halfway the outer cylinder 25.. The said apron structure 19 has secured thereto a toothed rack element 89 having a series of teeth 83. The toothed rack element upon the said apron 19 is provided with abutting shoulders 86, as shown in Fig. 5. A vehicle element BI sli'dabl'y secured and has a crotch portion- 82 for nesting therein the bumper of a vehicl'e or some other protruding element of the vehicle which may be conveniently supported thereon.

It should be noted than an angular clearance and relieved portion 84 is provided on the element 8!, together with a number of toothed portions' 83' formeshing relationship with the teeth of the rack 89. The element 81' is also provided with a bifurcated extension 81' having lips 85 which rest and abut against the shoulder portions 96' of the apron T9. Longitudinally; the lip-portions 85 are angularly cut away or relieved, as indicated in Fig. 1', so that the said relieved portions 85 and 84 permit the support element 8| to be angularly motivated so as to unmesh the teeth 83 from the toothed rack 80, and provides sufiicient clearance for sliding the element 8| upwardly or downwardly for a preliminary adjustment of the jack means before distension of the same; the said adjustment being made so as to minimize the length to which the jack will need to be distended. and also to I increase the range of operation of the jack with respect to altitude and distension thereof.

The apron 19 is provided at two radial sections thereof, about degrees apart. with lugs 88- which are suitably drilled in order to receive t'runnions 99 of rollers 89: the said rollers 89' operating contactually against the outer surface of the outer cylinder 25 for smoother operation when the jack is being distended. Therefore,

the operation of the jack by the resultant pres- "rotation thereof, is provided and the agitator means made of wire consists. of two angularly positioned hairpin-like structures 96 having one of their legs connected by virtue of an arcuate portion 99; the remaining legs being coiled about in firm security, as indicated. at 91,, about the crank element or agitator element 92. Thus. when the knob 91' is rotated, the hairpin-like elements 96 will be moved to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 7 and cause an. agitation of the solution of the chemicals in the reaction chamber l5.

To operate the device, suitable. chemicals are. introduced into the generating chamber [5, the plug 48 is: removed. and the storage. chamber 49 is filled. with liquid. Then the plug 48 is replaced. The. vehicle supporting element BII is; preliminarily adjusted to span a distance from 6 the ground to somev projecting part: 01' the: load; such as the bumper of avehicle, and the jack is set thereunder.

The next: operation is to press down on themanipul'ating handle or knob 54 to unseat valves '51 and 6|, simultaneously seating valve [3. When the flow of liquid has ceased, indicatingthat the metering chamber 49- is filled with liq-- uid', the manipulating handle or knob 54 is released; the spring 69 reseating valves 51 and 61", simultaneously opening valve 13'. The liquid isthen permitted totrickle gradually into the'gencrating chamber l5 by virtue of the l'ouvered means 23. The chemical reaction is then stimulated'. gas is released and forces the piston 34:-

upwardly, simultaneously lifting the load.

Although I have herein described rather succinctly the nature and use of my invention so that persons skilled in the artwill have no difliculty apprising themselves of the teachings thereof and, inasmuch as the disclosure is ens-- ceptible of various alterations, modifications and improvements; I hereby reserve the right to all modifications, alterations and improvements falling within the scope and spirit of myinventi'on, as well as any modifications that are embraced suggestivelyin the accompanying draw ings. and any that mav come within the purview of the fore oing description; my invention to be limited only by the appendedclaims;

Having thus described and disclosed my invention, what I claim as new and desire tose cure by Letters Patent, is:

1-. Pres ure responsive load lifting jack, com.-

'- prising a hollow base, a cylinder secured to the said base, a hollow liouid retaining piston telescopically fitted to operate in the said cylinder, a cap element secured to. the top of the said pis-- ton. intermediate partitioning and valve supporting' structure centrally positioned within, the

said piston defining a liouid storage chamber and a metering chamber, valve seat means on the said cap element. on the sai'di'ntermediate partitioning: and valve supporting structure and in the bottom of the said piston, compound valve means mounted slid'ably in the said cap element. and through the said intermediate partitioning and valve supporting structure and operative slidably therein, and spring means urging; the" said; compound valve means normally seated against the valve seat means on the said cap element and on the said intermediate partitioning and valve'supporting. structure, simultaneously retaining the. said compound valve means. useated from the seat means on the bottom of the said piston, when the said" compound valve means is. depressed it becomes unseated where; normally seated and becomes seated where normally unseated. j

2'. Pressure responsive load lifting jack, com.- prising a hollow base, a cylinder secured to the said base, a hollow' liquid retaining piston telescopically fitted to operate in the said cylinder, a cap element secured to the top of the said piston; intermediate partitioning and valve supporting structure centrally positioned within the said piston defining a liquid. storage chamber-and: a metering chamber, valve seat means on the said cap element, on the said intermediate partitioning and valve supporting structure and in the bottom of the said piston, compound. valve means mounted slidabl'y in the said cap element and through the said intermediate partitioning and valve supporting structure and operative.- slidably therein, spring means urging the said compound'valve means normally seated against the valve seat means on the said cap element and on the said intermediate partitioning and valve supporting structure, simultaneously retaining the said compound valve means unseated from the seat means on the bottom of the said piston, when the said compound valve means is depressed it becomes unseated where normally seated and becomes seated where normally unseated, the said hollow base forming a chemical pressure reaction chamber, and cartridge insertion and closure means secured to the said hollow base.

3. Pressure responsive load lifting jack, comprising a hollow base, a cylinder secured to the said base, a hollow liquid retaining piston telescopically fitted to operate in the said cylinder, 2. cap element secured to the top of the said piston, intermediate partitioning and valve supporting structure centrally positioned within the said piston defining a liquid storage chamber and a metering chamber, valve seat means on the said cap'element, on the said intermediate partitioning and valve supporting structure and in the bottom of the said piston, compound valve means mounted slidably in the said cap element and through the said intermediate partitionng and valve supporting structure and operative slidably therein, spring means urging the said compound valve means normally seated against the valve seat means on the said cap element and on the said intermediate partitioning and valve supporting structure, simultaneously retaining the said compound valve means unseated from the seat means on the bottom of the said piston, when the said compound valve means is depressed it becomes unseated where normally seated and becomes seated where normally unseated, agitator means confined within the said base, and knob means extending outside the said hollow. base connected to the said agitator means.

, v4. Pressure responsive load lifting jack, comprisin a hollow base, a cylinder secured to the said base, a hollow liquid retaining piston telescopically fitted to operate in the said cylinder, a cap element secured to the top of the said piston, intermediate partitioning and valve supporting structure centrally positioned within the said piston defining a liquid storage chamber and a metering chamber, valve seat means on the said can element, on the said intermediate partitioning and valve supporting structure and in the bottom of the said piston, compound valve means mounted slidably in the said cap element and through the said intermediate partitioning and valve supporting structure and operative slidably therein, spring means urging the said compound valve means normally seated against the valve seat means on the said cap element and on the said intermediate partitioning and valve supporting structure, simultaneously retaining the said compound valve means unseated from the seat means on the bottom of the said piston, when the said compound valve means is depressed it becomes unseated where normally seated and becomes seated where normally unseated, the said hollow base forming a chemical pressure reaction chamber, cartridge insertion and closure means secured to the said hollow base, agitator means confined within the said base, and knob means extending outside the said hollow base connected to the said agitator means.

5. Pressure responsive load lifting jack, comprising a hollow base, a cylinder secured to the said base, a hollow liquid retainin piston telescopically fitted to operate in thesaid cylinder, a cap element secured to the top of the said piston, intermediate partitioning and valve supporting structure centrally positioned within the said piston defining a liquid storage chamber and a metering chamber, valve seat means on the said cap element, on the said intermediate structure and in the bottom of the said piston, compound valve means mounted slidably in the said cap element and through the said intermediate structure and operative slidably therein, spring means urging the said compound valve means normally seated against the valve seat means on the said cap element and on the said intermediate structure, simultaneously retaining the said compound valve means unseated from the seat means on the bottom of the said piston, when the said compound valve means is depressed it becomes unseated where normally seated and becomes seat-- ed where normally unseated, and conventionalcut-oif valve means secured to the said cylinder.

6. Pressure responsive load lifting jack and inflation pump, comprising a hollow base, a cylinder secured to the said base, a hollow liquid retaining piston telescopically fitted to operate in the said cylinder, a cap element secured to the top of the said piston, intermediate partitioning and valve supporting structure centrally positioned within the said piston defining a liquid storage chamber and a metering chamber, valve seat means on the said cap element, on the said intermediate structure and in the bottom of the said piston, compound valve means mounted slidably in the said cap element and through the said intermediate structure and operative slidably therein, spring means urging the said compound valve means normally seated against the valve seat means on the said cap element and on the said intermediate structure, simultaneously retaining the said compound valve means unseated from the seat means on the bottom of the said piston, when the said compound valve means is depressed it becomes unseated where normally seated and becomes seated where normally unseated, the said hollow base forming a chemical pressure reaction chamber, cartridge insertion and closure means secured to the said hollow base, and conventional cut-ofi valve means secured to the said cylinder.

'7. Pressure responsive load lifting jack, comprising a hollow base, a cylinder secured to the said base, a hollow liquid retaining piston telescopically fitted to operate in the said cylinder, a cap element secured to the top of the said p ton, intermediate partitioning and valve supporting structure centrally positioned within the said piston defining a liquid storage chamber and a metering chamber, valve seat means on the said cap element, on the said intermediate structure and in the bottom of the said piston. compound valve means mounted slidably in the said cap element and through the said intermediate structure and operative slidably therein, spring means urging the said compound valve means normally seated against the valve seat means on the said cap element and on the said intermediate structure, simultaneously retaining the said compound valve means unseated from the seat means on the bottom of the said piston, when the said compound valve means is depressed it becomes unseated where normally seated and becomes seated where normally unseated, agitator means confined within the said base, knob means extending outside the said hollow base connected to the said agitator means,

9 and conventional cut-off valve means secured to the said cylinder.

8. Pressure responsive load lifting jack, comprising a hollow base, a cylinder secured to the said base, a hollow liquid retaining piston telescopically fitted to operate in the said cylinder, a cap element secured to the top of the said Diston, intermediate partitioning and valve supporting structure centrally positioned within the said piston defining a liquid storage chamber and a metering chamber, valve seat means on the said cap element, on the said intermediate structure and in the bottom of the said piston, compound valve means mounted slidably in the said cap element and through the said intermediate structure and operative slidably therein, spring means urging the said compound valve means normally seated against the valve seat means on the said ca element and on the said intermediate structure, simultaneously retain- 10 ing the said compound valve means unseated from the seat means on the bottom of the said piston, when the said compound valve means is depressed it becomes unseated where normally seated and becomes seated where normally unseated, the said hollow base forming a chemical pressure reaction chamber, cartridge insertion and closure means secured to the said hollow base, agitator means confined within the said base, knob means extending outside the said hollow base connected to the said agitator means, and conventional cut-oil valve means secured to the said cylinder.

ROBERT C. CHRISTOPHER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Christopher Oct. 14, 1947 Number 

